Sombra left the physical world. He was in a place of shadow and foreboding, cloying fog. It was not a new place for him. He was a creature of shadow. There was little point in denying that basic fact.
Wherever there was matter, there would be shadow. No matter how brilliant the pony city was, no... the bright lights only deepened the shadows thrown. He could feel emotions and impressions around himself. He could feel ancient, bright emotions, burning in the dark, smoldering beneath each hoof as he traveled. He could see in a flash what each was, but he tried to ignore them in favor of his quarry.
He cared little about the time a pony had tripped while running and skinned a knee, or that time some pony's heart had been broken when their friend did not come to their paltry celebration. They were old emotions, but each was powerful. They had to be to linger longer than a moment or two in the shadow.
Sombra heard a soft whispering. It was more the impression the sound than sound itself. It was coming closer.
With bright green and purple, Sombra's eyes flared. "Who dares to approach me?!"
"My little pony shadow," sang a voice from the dark. "My how long he lied fallow. Now he thinks he is once again large. Does he know he's not in charge?"
"A foal's game," scoffed Sombra. "Your nonsense does little but irritate. Step forward."
"How boring." A figure emerged from the gloom. Calling it a figure was, perhaps, generous. It was little more than congealed shadow with eyes that glowed much like Sombra's. "Don't think you have any rights over me, so-called King."
Sombra's chest puffed a little. "You are nothing in my presence. You have no--"
"--Don't tell me what I have!" barked the presence, ballooning out to three times its previous size. "I wasn't sealed in ice for a millenium, give or take a few centuries." It suddenly shrank back down. "Still, I should thank you."
"Save your thanks," remarked Sombra cooly. "I have things to tend to that don't involve you."
"Don't they?" The presence suddenly had teeth, grinning impossibly wide. "I think you do. Why, I think someone went and promised they'd take care of me."
The identity of the shadow became clear. Crystal clear. "You are more foolish than I thought." Sombra released his pony form, becoming little more than a shadow presence himself. "Prepare to be destroyed completely."
"Oh no!" The presence faded away, just the teeth left behind. The voice came despite them not moving. "Don't destroy me, oh lord of shadows. Once I was a loyal vassal. Have you truly forgotten me?"
Sombra cared little to trade tales of old times. "You are nothing but an impediment now." Dark writhing magic struck the teeth, destroying them in countless glittering motes of white that faded away.
"Oh that's right," spoke the voice, unharmed by the sound of it. "You went and made friends with the ponies. What happened to you? They should be groveling for mercy, not sharing tea and cakes."
"Times have changed." Sombra's magic swept violently through the ether, seeking out his quarry. "You either adapt, or are forgotten."
"Wise words." The presence appeared behind Sombra. "Is there room for me?"
Sombra swung around with a sword of crackling energy formed in the motion. To his credit, he did not immediately cleave his enemy in half. Perhaps he had changed. "Are you ready to change then?"
"You are not the same," spoke the presence almost sadly. "I should be in at least two pieces. What have you gained for all this loss?"
"I am king." Sombra blossomed in size slowly. "My subjects serve me with adoration and loyalty. I have forged powerful allies and will be known throughout the world. I will forge a nation worthy of respect!"
"A nation? Like the rabbit you were riding?" The presence swirled around Sombra's misty form. "They look fit for a petting zoo."
"He has proven himself in combat and diplomacy," grunted Sombra. "You know nothing and are deceived by appearances.... I thought better of you."
The presence laughed, loud and mocking. "You have turned my words on me, but perhaps there is truth to those steely words. Do you know your mount has intruded on the dream world? Very curious... If he is not careful, I will have to hunt him next."
"Try." Sombra's form exploded with power, driving the presence back. "He will destroy you, in body or heart."
"What confidence..." The presence faded into the shadow. "I have distracted you long enough. Since you are in such a cooperative mood, let's trade."
"You have nothing I want," stated Sombra flatly.
"I disagree. You want a pony. A poor little mare that's neither here nor there. Lost and crying, she needs your help. But you won't find her without a little hint."
Sombra tore the shadow in twain. He sliced and carved with a sudden blinding fury, but it was a lot of noise without a lot of effect.
"Are you done?" asked the voice. "If it helps, I didn't bring her here. The ponies did that."
Sombra turned to address his foe. "Such has been admitted. Very well, what do you want?"
"You have changed." The voice congealed into a form, one Sombra knew.
His eyes narrowed. "Vizier..."
"Ah, you do remember me," spoke the gaunt pony. "I had thought I had escaped your thoughts entirely."
"You are not... easily forgotten. Our plans were laid low."
"That they were, 'king' Sombra."
"I am King!"
"Not of the crystal wretches who wronged you." He frowned at Sombra. "Have you forgiven them?"
"Worse." Sombra smiled slowly, a malignant expression. "I have deemed them irrelevant. Let them quiver in isolation. My nation shall be where the eyes of the world rest."
"Ah!" The vizier looked pleased. "There! You do have some of the old fire in you. It's a pleasure to see it again."
"Does it now..." Sombra considered quietly a moment. "I have changed, as you have been quick to address. You could as well." It was a chance, but he took it. Sombra reached out a hoof. "There is room in my court for a pony that understands that prizes sometimes come with prices, and understands how to reach regardless."
The vizier returned that grin. "Now you are speaking my language. Lord Sombra--" he dipped his head. "--I would gladly assist you, but I fear you arrive at a problem."
"Hmm?" Sombra glowered. "Do you refuse?"
"I did not say that." The vizier held up a hoof. "You have sworn to dispatch me, have you not?"
Sombra snorted, a puff of green smoke escaping him. "If you swear fealty, then you are dispatched. You will trouble these ponies no longer... Unless we agree it would serve our interests, later."
"Oh, I am so glad you added that last part." The vizier cackled with joy. "Together again! I thought we would have a bright and deadly battle to the finish there, and I would have been pleased to play a part in that, but this... Tell me you will use me."
Sombra raised a brow silently.
"I am your tool, Lord Sombra, as ever I have been. But I am no idle blade. Give me a target and I will see it cut most cruelly."
"I will require that keen blade." The vizier grinned at Sombra's words. "But the sharpness required is more... tactical. Tell me your mind can be turned to making my kingdom the envy of all others."
"Oh..." The grin diminished a moment. "Oh... You were not speaking in jest. You will kill me." Sombra squinted a little. "Not literally, my liege. You will slay me, and ask that I be reforged, much as you were. And let there be no mistake. You were murdered, most cruelly. Your fluffy mount wears you like a bloody trophy. The old Sombra is gone, but... perhaps the new one is worth the task?"
"You speak in riddles," spoke Sombra in an irritated voice. "My goals have not changed, simply some of the methods. Will you serve me, or will this end here?"
"There's the Sombra I know... The mare you seek, she is close to her 'friend'. Find her and prove you aren't just bravado." Before he could be questioned further, the vizier was gone.
Sombra was left alone. Close to her friend? Where was the accused mare? He didn't know. He did know who would likely have that answer. He slipped between here and there and stepped free of a darkened corner into an unused room at Canterlot Castle. He was solid and fully living once more. With a soft snort of irritation, he began trotting. "Where are you," he grumbled.
Toby was never there when he was needed.
Toby smiled at the excited squeals that came from his back. He had three foals riding him, two fillies and a colt that clung to him as he bounded around the castle grounds. He landed lightly on the wall that separated the castle from the rest of the city. "You can see everything from here," he noted, raising a paw to wave it around.
His passengers gave excited gasps and cries, looking around from on top of him. One of them, the colt, leaned in close to an ear. "Can you bring us to that park?" He pointed down into the city.
Toby was quick to nod. "Uh huh!" With a powerful leap, his journey continued with the little ones. Giving them rides was fun, and kept them safe. Both good things.
Sombra encountered a princess. Fortunately it was one he tolerated more easily. "Luna."
"Sombra," she replied with a nod. "Sister has informed me that you have taken another task on yourself. You should take care to not overtax yourself."
"It is not beyond my grasp," assured Sombra. "Do you think so little of me?"
"On the contrary." Luna gave a gentle smile. "I believe that you are eager to show your skill, and may take on more than any pony should be expected to. I speak as a concerned friend." Her smile broke. "I had something else I wanted to inquire of."
"Yes?" Luna had been understanding of him. He saw no reason to deny her a question. "What is it?"
"It... I feel guilty to even bringing it up, but it is a matter that may involve you, but I feel not directly. There was a presence I felt, dark and shadowy."
Sombra frowned deeply. "Do you believe that was at my hooves?"
Luna raised a hoof quickly. "As I said, not directly, but perhaps you would know of it. It was formless, mocking, and cruel. It was also very violent."
Sombra could guess what it was... "I am... dealing with it."